Effervescent liquid dispenser

Abstract

An effervescent liquid dispenser for a carbonated beverage is disclosed that includes a container containing liquid to be dispensed receiving pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source, becoming a pressurized liquid, the pressurized liquid becoming an effervescent liquid upon being dispensed from the container; and a dispense valve that is positionable in a first position for permitting pressurized gas to be received in a vessel to become the pressurized gas source, the dispense valve selectably movable between the first position and a second position, the dispense valve being secured to the container in the second position in response to the vessel receiving pressurized gas, the vessel becoming the pressurized gas source for the dispenser; wherein the container complies with 27 C.F.R. 5.46 (1999) and conforms with 49 C.F.R. 173.306 (1976).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An effervescent liquid dispenser comprising:
 a container containing a liquid to be dispensed receiving pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source, becoming a pressurized liquid, the pressurized liquid becoming an effervescent liquid upon being dispensed from the container; and 
 a dispense valve that is positionable in a first position for permitting pressurized gas to be received in a vessel to become the pressurized gas source, the dispense valve selectably movable between the first position and the second position, the dispense valve being secured to the container in the second position in response to the vessel receiving pressurized gas, the vessel becoming the pressurized gas source for the dispenser; 
 wherein the dispense valve further comprises a cap which is rotated about an axis to engage a retention feature that prevents the cap from being removed from the dispenser. 
 
     
     
       2. The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a regulator having a first valve member in selective fluid communication with at least one of the pressurized gas source and an inner surface of the container on a first side of the first valve member, the first valve member having an opposed second side;
 wherein in response to a first force applied to the first side of the first valve member exceeding a second force applied to the second side of the first valve member, the first valve member is actuated to an open position for discharging pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source into the container; 
 wherein in response to the first force applied to the first side of the first valve member being less than the second force applied to the second side of the first valve member, the first valve member is actuated to a first closed position for preventing pressurized gas discharge from the pressurized gas source into the container. 
 
     
     
       3. The dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the first valve member extending from the first side of the first valve member to a second valve member, the second valve member including a head having a seal portion;
 wherein in response to the first force applied to the first side of the first valve member sufficiently exceeding the second force applied to the second side of the first valve member, the first valve member and the second valve member being actuated to a second closed position, the seal portion of the second valve member forming a fluid tight seal with a seal member positioned between the first valve member and the second valve member for preventing pressurized gas discharge from the pressurized gas source into the container. 
 
     
     
       4. The dispenser of  claim 3 , wherein the second valve member resembles a diamond shape including opposed tapered regions, the seal portion of the second valve member including one tapered region facing the first valve member;
 wherein a remaining tapered region facing away from the first valve member, the remaining tapered region forming a guide portion for providing guided insertion of the second valve member through the seal member during assembly of the pressure relief valve to the container. 
 
     
     
       5. The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the first valve member and the second valve member are of a unitary or one-piece construction. 
     
     
       6. The dispenser of  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure relief mechanism including a passageway in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source and the container when the first valve member is in the first open position;
 wherein at least a portion of the passageway is in fluid communication with the pressurized gas source and the container on one side of the at least a portion of the passageway, and in fluid communication with an environment surrounding the dispenser on the other side of the at least a portion of the passageway; 
 wherein the at least a portion of the passageway is configured to burst at a predetermined pressure less than a burst pressure of the container. 
 
     
     
       7. A container comprising:
 an effervescent liquid and an effervescent liquid dispenser comprising
 a dispense valve that is positionable in a first position for permitting pressurized gas to be received in a vessel to become the pressurized gas source, the dispense valve selectably movable between the first position and the second position, the dispense valve being secured to the container in the second position in response to the vessel receiving pressurized gas, the vessel becoming the pressurized gas source for the dispenser; 
 
 wherein the liquid dispenser is permanently affixed to the container and the container is non-refillable; and 
 wherein the dispense valve further comprises a cap which is rotated about an axis to engage a retention feature that prevents the cap from being removed from the dispenser. 
 
     
     
       8. The container of  claim 7  wherein the container complies with 27 C.F.R. 5.46 (2017). 
     
     
       9. The container of  claim 7  wherein the container conforms with 49 C.F.R. 173.306 (2017). 
     
     
       10. The container of  claim 7  wherein the liquid dispenser is permanently affixed by a snap fit connection. 
     
     
       11. The container of  claim 7  wherein the liquid dispenser is permanently affixed by a crimp fit. 
     
     
       12. The container of  claim 7  wherein the vessel is located within the container. 
     
     
       13. The container of  claim 12  wherein the vessel includes a proximal end extending from a dispenser assembly to a distal end. 
     
     
       14. The container of  claim 13  wherein the vessel comprises a cavity containing pressurized gas and an inner surface, the vessel further incorporating a passageway that is axially aligned with and separate from the cavity, the passageway extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
 wherein a shaft extends through the dispenser assembly and movement of the shaft permits pressurized gas from the vessel to flow, forcing the effervescent liquid into the passageway that in turn permits the effervescent liquid to pass through the dispenser and be dispensed from the container. 
 
     
     
       15. The container of  claim 14  wherein the cavity includes at least one rib spanning opposed portions of the inner surface. 
     
     
       16. The container of  claim 14  further comprising a tap that is located externally to the dispenser and container and wherein movement of the shaft is caused by rotational movement of a tap. 
     
     
       17. The container of  claim 16  further comprising a spout connected to the dispenser and wherein the effervescent liquid is dispensed from the container from the spout. 
     
     
       18. The container of  claim 7  wherein the vessel is an extrusion. 
     
     
       19. The container of  claim 7  wherein the effervescent liquid comprises a carbonated alcoholic beverage. 
     
     
       20. The container of  claim 7 , wherein the container comprises a non-threaded engagement member;
 a compliant securing member deformably and permanently affixed over the engagement member in response to application of a lateral compressive force to the securing member; 
 a dispenser body positioned over the securing member, the dispenser body having an engagement feature for permanently engaging a corresponding engagement feature of the securing member in response to application of a sufficient mutually aligned axial force of the dispenser body toward the securing member. 
 
     
     
       21. An effervescent liquid dispenser for a carbonated beverage comprising:
 a container containing liquid to be dispensed receiving pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source, becoming a pressurized liquid, the pressurized liquid becoming an effervescent liquid upon being dispensed from the container; and 
 a dispense valve that is positionable in a first position for permitting pressurized gas to be received in a vessel to become the pressurized gas source, the dispense valve selectably movable between the first position and the second position, the dispense valve being secured to the container in the second position in response to the vessel receiving pressurized gas, the vessel becoming the pressurized gas source for the dispenser; 
 wherein the container complies with 27 C.F.R. 5.46 (2017) and conforms with 49 C.F.R. 173.306 (2017); and 
 wherein the dispense valve further comprises a cap which is rotated about an axis to engage a retention feature that prevents the cap from being removed from the dispenser.